Fluid flow control device housed in a thermostatic faucet

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow of a fluid, housed in a thermostatic faucet comprising:  
     housed in the body of the faucet, a device ( 5 ) for controlling the outlet temperature of the water, comprising a thermosensitive element ( 3 ) and a device ( 11 ) for controlling the flow of the faucet,  
     a control knob ( 12 ) for the temperature control device and  
     a control element ( 13 ) for the flow control device.  
     This control device is characterized in that:  
     the flow control device ( 11 ) is disposed downstream from the mixing chamber and controls the flow cross section of the so-called outlet located downstream from the mixing chamber, and  
     the control knob and element are located on the same side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and on the opposite side from the outlet.

[0001] The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow of afluid, housed in a thermostatic faucet.

[0002] Particularly in shower stalls, the valve that controls the flowof hot and cold water to the shower head or the faucet head must handlenot only the on-off function but also the mixing of the hot waterissuing from a hot water source with the cold water issuing from a coldwater source in order to obtain water mixed to the temperature desiredby the user.

[0003] There are exclusively mechanical control systems that consist ofadjusting the cross-sections of the hot water and cold water passages.

[0004] These devices cannot correct the outlet temperature when the flowrate and/or the temperature of one of the two hot water/cold waterconduits is accidentally modified.

[0005] There are other known devices in which the hot water/cold watermixture is controlled by means of a temperature-sensitive controlelement plunged into a so-called mixing chamber.

[0006] This control element automatically modifies the flowcross-sections of the hot water and cold water inlets into the mixingchamber by moving a piece that acts like a slide valve.

[0007] There are means that make it possible, by means of a controlknob, to set reference value.

[0008] Thus, if the temperature of the water in the mixing chamberexceeds the threshold set by the reference value, the sensitive elementshuts off the flow cross-section of the hot water passage in order toprevent burns.

[0009] A device of this type therefore controls the mixture of hot andcold water by automatically modifying the flow cross-section of the hotwater and the cold water passages into the mixing chamber locateddownstream.

[0010] It is essential, however, to be able to stop the flow of thefaucet when it is not in use.

[0011] It is therefore customary to house in the faucet both atemperature-sensitive mixing device and a device for controlling theopening and closing of the faucet.

[0012] There are known devices wherein the body of the faucet houses aflow control device at one of its ends and an automatic temperaturecontrol device at its other end, these two devices being joined by aconnecting conduit.

[0013] For purposes of control and/or adjustment, each of the deviceshas a control element located on one side of the body of the faucet forone of them, and on the other side for the other.

[0014] This makes it necessary to position the body parallel to the wallfrom which the hot water and cold water supply conduits project.

[0015] The flow control device can be positioned upstream or downstreamfrom the temperature control device.

[0016] When the two conduits are combined, the opening/closing controldevice is generally disposed upstream from the device for controllingthe mixture of the hot and cold water, in order to insulate thethermosensitive element when the faucet is not in use.

[0017] For example, the control device consists in a set of washerspierced with holes that in the open position, positions one washerrelative to the other so that the holes of one washer line up with theholes of the other washer.

[0018] As a general rule, the flow control device works in anall-or-nothing way, meaning that it does not have any intermediateposition, and the principle of these faucets consists of completelyopening or closing the water inlets without the capability to controlthe flow rate.

[0019] In some cases, especially for faucets installed in sinks(EP-A-0.605.845 or EP-A-0.342.709), flow control may be provided, butthis requires being able to modify the flow cross-sections of the hotwater and cold water passages simultaneously, which requires complexhole shapes.

[0020] This is the case with the device in the document EP-1.022.634,wherein the set of disks is installed in such a way that it controlsboth the inflow of hot and cold water and the outflow of mixed water.

[0021] There is another known device (EP-0.566.433) wherein thethermosensitive element drives of one of the three disks in rotation,constituting a flow control means downstream from the mixing chamber.

[0022] An installation of this type is not appropriate because themechanical stresses that are exerted on the thermosensitive elementmodify the position of the slide valve that controls the temperature.

[0023] The stresses are extremely undesirable because the amplitude ofdisplacement of the slide valve is on the order of one millimeter, andeven a slight modification interferes with the adjustment of thetemperature.

[0024] One of the objects of the invention is to obtain a device of theaforementioned type that specifically eliminates the aforementioneddisadvantages.

[0025] The subject of the invention is a device for controlling the flowof a fluid from a faucet comprising:

[0026] housed in the body of the faucet:

[0027] a device for controlling the outlet temperature of the water,comprising a thermosensitive element which, plunged into a so-calledmixing chamber, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water by modifyingthe cross-sections of flow to the mixing chamber of the hot waterissuing from a hot water inlet and the cold water issuing from a coldwater inlet, and

[0028] a device for controlling the flow of the faucet,

[0029] a control knob for the temperature control device and

[0030] a control element for the flow control device located on the sameside of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and onthe opposite side from the outlet,

[0031] this device being characterized in that the means fortransmitting the rotation of the control element is coaxial to thethermosensitive element and this means is a rotationally guided jackethousing the thermosensitive element, this jacket being rotationallycoupled with the control element of the flow control device by a firstcoupling means, and rotationally coupled with the flow control device bya second coupling means.

[0032] The invention will be clearly understood with the help of thefollowing description given as a non-limiting example, in reference tothe attached drawing, which schematically represents:

[0033]FIGS. 1 through 3: three partial longitudinal sections of acontrol device,

[0034]FIG. 4: an exploded view of a part of the control device.

[0035] Referring to the drawing, we see a device 1 for controlling theflow of a fluid, housed in a thermostatic faucet 2.

[0036] This device specifically makes it possible to prevent burns incase of a sudden drop in the cold water pressure and is convenient touse because of the automatic adjustment of the outlet temperature of thewater.

[0037] Conventionally, such a faucet with a thermostatic control element3 comprises:

[0038] housed in the body 4 of the faucet:

[0039] a device 5 for controlling the outlet temperature of the water,comprising a thermosensitive element 3 which, plunged into a so-calledmixing chamber 6, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water bymodifying the cross-sections 7, 8 of flow to the mixing chamber 6 of thehot water issuing from a hot water inlet 9 and of the cold water issuingfrom a cold water inlet 10, and

[0040] a device 11 for controlling the flow of the faucet,

[0041] a control knob 12 for the temperature control device and

[0042] a control element 13 for the flow control device.

[0043] The flow control device 11 is disposed downstream from the mixingchamber and controls the flow cross-section of the so-called outlet 14located downstream from the mixing chamber.

[0044] Flow control is obtained by means of two washers 15, 16 disposedone on top of the other, each of which has at least one hole.

[0045] One (15) of the washers 15, 16, called the fixed washer, isrotationally immobilized, while the other washer (16), called the movingwasher, is rotationally guided and rotationally driven, at leastindirectly, by the control element 13 of the flow control device.

[0046] These washers 15, 16 are preferably ceramic.

[0047] As may be seen in FIG. 4, each washer is pierced with two holes,which essentially allow the outflow.

[0048] It is not equipped with a hole for introducing water into themixing chamber.

[0049] Advantageously, the control knob and element are located on thesame side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, onthe opposite side from the outlet 14 so that the means 17, 18 fortransmitting the rotation of the control knob and element are coaxial.

[0050] They can also be coaxial to the sensitive element 3.

[0051] According to one characteristic of the invention, the temperaturecontrol device is housed in a rotationally guided jacket 19 inside thebody of the faucet, and this jacket 19, which is rotationally coupledwith the control element of the flow control device by a first couplingmeans 20 and rotationally coupled with the moving washer 16 by a secondcoupling means 21, at least partially constitutes the means 17 fortransmitting the rotation of the moving washer.

[0052] The flow control device is disposed immediately at the outlet ofthe temperature control device, without a connecting conduit, whichallows for a reduction in the overall dimensions.

[0053] This jacket 19 has two lateral slots 22 that allow the waterissuing from the hot water and cold water inlets 9, 10 to enter themixing chamber 6 via the hot water and cold water passages, whosecross-sections depend on the thermosensitive element.

[0054] The slots extend along nearly the entire circumference.

[0055] Advantageously, nonreturn valves 23, 24 in the form of rings witha substantially V-shaped cross-section prevent the return of the fluidto the hot and cold water inlets.

[0056] Facing these slots are annular chambers 25, 26 delimited by theouter surface of the jacket, the inner surface of the housing of thefaucet receiving the flow control device, and gaskets 100, 101, 102.

[0057] Advantageously, the disk-shaped ceramic washers are mounted in asleeve 27, which sleeve, at least indirectly, has means 28 fordetachably connecting with the jacket 19 housing the temperature controldevice.

[0058] The rotational driving and/or rotational locking of one piecerelative to another piece is achieved, for example, by means ofcooperating shapes.

[0059] In the example shown, a pin 29 passes through the wall of thesleeve 27 housing the ceramic disks 15, 16 and one (29A) of the ends(29A, 29B) of this pin penetrates into a cavity 30 of the ceramic disk,while the other (29B) projects outward from the sleeve so as tocooperate with the body of the faucet, for example a notch in the body,thus rotationally locking the fixed disk inside the body of this faucet.

[0060] Quite clearly, the rotational locking of the fixed disk to thesleeve, and that of the sleeve to the body of the faucet, can beobtained with two separate pins, but the preceding solution isadvantageous.

[0061] For the driving of the moving disk 16, which is located as closeas possible to the mixing chamber 6, the disk has, for example in itsside 16A that faces the mixing chamber, a recess 16B that receives aboss 31 presented at least indirectly by the jacket 19, which drives itin rotation.

[0062] Advantageously, the link between the moving disk and the jacketis produced by an intermediate ring 32 that is coupled with both thejacket 19 and the sleeve 27.

[0063] The temperature control device and the disks can therefore bereplaced without requiring the replacement of the entire assembly.

[0064] Furthermore, the presence of the jacket makes it possible toproduce a cartridge, i.e. a pre-assembled piece comprising thetemperature control device and the flow control device disposed onebehind the other, which need only be slid into the body of the faucetand is therefore easily replaceable.

[0065] The diameter of the intermediate ring and the sleeve are quiteclearly no larger than the diameter of the jacket.

[0066] Another advantage results from a possible enlargement of themixing chamber, which allows a much better mixture of the hot and coldwater because it prevents the formation of hot or cold streams, andhence a better control of the temperature.

[0067] The hot water and cold water inlets are embodied by channels thatpass radially through the housing of the faucet.

[0068] In reality, many faucet manufacturers produce only the body ofthe faucet, in which they install flow control devices and/ortemperature control devices that they purchase on the market.

[0069] They must therefore allow for the specific technical anddimensional characteristics of the existing devices.

[0070] Thus, they use a cartridge that may be equipped with the flowcontrol device.

[0071] In order limit production costs, one need only provide for thebodies of the faucets to have a bore that is long enough to house bothdevices, even if only one device is installed in it.

[0072]FIG. 3 shows that the temperature control device 5 is placed atthe end of a bore, resting against a supporting surface 110.

[0073] The slide valve 5A controls the inflow of hot and cold water.

[0074] Positioned in front of this temperature control device is thering 32 that locks the temperature control device, to which the flowcontrol device can be adapted.

[0075] The jacket 19 is extended on the other side of the part housingthe intermediate ring by a jacket 19A housing the stem for controllingthe temperature setting.

[0076] The flow control element is attached to this jacket.

[0077] The system is easy to produce.

1. Device for controlling the flow of a fluid, housed in a thermostatic faucet comprising: housed in the body (4) of the faucet: a device (5) for controlling the outlet temperature of the water, comprising a thermosensitive element (3) which, plunged into a so-called mixing chamber (3), adjusts the temperature of the mixed water by modifying the cross-sections (7, 8) of flow to the mixing chamber (6) of the hot water issuing from a hot water inlet (9) and the cold water issuing from a cold water inlet (10) and, a device (11) for controlling the flow of the faucet, disposed downstream from the mixing chamber, in order to adjust the flow cross section of the so-called outlet (14) located downstream from the mixing chamber, a control knob (12) for the temperature control device and a control element (13) for the flow control device, located on the same side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and on the opposite side from the outlet (14), this device being characterized in that the means (17) for transmitting the rotation of the control element is coaxial to the thermosensitive element and this means (17) is a rotationally guided jacket (19) housing the thermosensitive element (3), this jacket (19) being rotationally coupled with the control element of the flow control device by a first coupling means (20), and rotationally coupled with the flow control device (11) by a second coupling means.
 2. Control device according to claim 1 , characterized in that: flow control is obtained by means of two washers (15, 16) disposed one on top of the other, each of which has at least one hole, and one (15) of the washers (15, 16), called the fixed washer, is rotationally immobilized, while the other washer (16), called the moving washer, is rotationally guided and rotationally driven, at least indirectly, by the control element (13) of the flow control device.
 3. Control device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the jacket (19) has lateral slots (22) that allow the water issuing from the hot water and cold water inlets (9, 10) to enter the mixing chamber (6) via the hot water and cold water passages, whose cross-section depends on the thermosensitive element.
 4. Control device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the flow control device and the temperature control device form a cartridge.
 5. Control device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the disk-shaped ceramic washers are mounted in a sleeve (27), which sleeve, at least indirectly, has means (28) for detachably connecting with the jacket (19) housing the temperature control device.
 6. Control device according to claim 5 , characterized in that a pin (29) passes through the wall of the sleeve (27) housing the ceramic disks (15, 16), and one (29A) of the ends (29A, 29B) of this pin penetrates into a cavity (30) of the ceramic disk, while the other (29B) projects outward from the sleeve in order to cooperate with the body of the faucet.
 7. Control device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the link between the moving disk and the jacket is produced by an intermediate ring (32) that is coupled with the jacket (19) and with a sleeve (27).
 8. Control device according to claim 1 , characterized in that, for the driving of the moving disk (16), which is located as close as possible to the mixing chamber (6), the disk has, in its side (16A) that faces the mixing chamber, a recess (16B) that receives a boss (31) presented at least indirectly by the jacket (19), which drives it in rotation.
 9. A control device for controlling the flow of a fluid through a thermostatic faucet having a body (4) with a cold fluid inlet (10) and a hot fluid inlet (9) comprising: a temperature control device (5) within the body (4) for controlling outlet temperature of the fluid, said device (5) comprising a mixing chamber (3) and a thermosensitive element (3) adapted to be plunged into the mixing chamber (3) to adjust the temperature of mixed fluid by modifying the cross-sections (7, 8) of flow to the mixing chamber (6) of hot fluid issuing from the hot fluid inlet (9) and the cold fluid issuing from a cold fluid inlet (10) and, a flow control device (11) disposed downstream from the mixing chamber and adapted to adjust the flow cross section of an outlet (14) downstream from the mixing chamber for controlling the flow of the faucet, a control knob (12) connected to the temperature control device and a control element (13) connected to the flow control device and located on the same side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and on the opposite side from the outlet (14), a rotationally guided jacket (17) coaxial to the thermosensitive element for transmitting rotation of the control element (13), said rotationally guided jacket (19) housing the thermosensitive element (3), and first and second coupling means, said jacket (19) being rotationally coupled with the control element of the flow control device by a first coupling means (20), and rotationally coupled with the flow control device (11) by a second coupling means.
 10. A control device according to claim 9 , further comprising: a fixed washer (15) and a moveable washer (16) disposed within the flow control device (11), one on top of the other, each of which has at least one hole, and the fixed washer being rotationally immobilized, while the moving washer (16), is rotationally guided and rotationally driven, at least indirectly, by the control element (13) of the flow control device so as to control flow.
 11. A control device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the jacket (19) has lateral slots (22) that allow the fluid issuing from the hot fluid and cold fluid inlets (9, 10) to enter the mixing chamber (6) via hot fluid and cold fluid passages, whose flow cross-section depends on the thermosensitive element (3).
 12. A control device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the flow control device and the temperature control device form a cartridge.
 13. A control device according to claim 10 , characterized in that the washers are ceramic disks (15, 16) mounted in a sleeve (27), said sleeve including, at least indirectly, means (28) for detachably connecting the temperature control device with the jacket (19) housing.
 14. A control device according to claim 13 , further comprising a pin (29) extending through the sleeve (27), said sleeve (27) housing the ceramic disks (15, 16), one first end (29A) of the pin (29) penetrating into a cavity (30) of a ceramic disk, and a second other end (29B) of the pin (29) projecting outward from the sleeve so as to cooperate with the body (4) of the faucet.
 15. A control device according to claim 10 , characterized in that an intermediate ring (32) coupled with the jacket (19) and with a sleeve (27) provides a link between the moving washer and the jacket.
 16. A control device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the moving washer (16) has in a side (16A) that faces the mixing chamber, a recess (16B) that receives a boss (31) presented at least indirectly by the jacket (19), which rotatably drives the washer of the moving washer (16) being located adjacent to the mixing chamber (6). 